Top 5 North Carolina Golf Courses in the Outer Banks

Top 5 North Carolina Golf Courses in the Outer Banks

On a warm, bright day in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, golf is one of the best things to do outdoors. You’ll be playing at golf courses surrounded by views of pristine beaches kissed by the Atlantic Ocean, with salty sea breezes to cool you down. The greens are lush and playable all year long, and you can easily find a course that suits your play style and skill level. The question is: Where is the best place to play golf at the Outer Banks? Here are 5 of the best Outer Banks golf courses.

Coastal Outer Banks golf at The Currituck Club

The Currituck Club in Corolla regularly ranks on lists of the best golf courses in the Outer Banks. Designed by Rees Jones, this golf course features coastal terrains stretching 6,885 yards along the Currituck Sound. You’ll be playing on bent and Bermuda grass, and you’ll be passing by sand dunes, woodlands, and wetlands while chasing your ball. If you’d prefer something other than golf, the club also has tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. After your game, you can hit the beach, take a tour to spot Corolla’s wild horses, or visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Or you can head back to your beachside vacation rental and relax at the pool or hot tub.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse rising above the trees.

Classic Outer Banks golf at Duck Woods Country Club

Established in 1969, Duck Woods Country Club is one of the oldest golf courses in the Outer Banks. This Ellis Maples–designed course sits on more than 300 acres and has 4 sets of tees, each measuring at least 5,000 yards. Here, you can play a competitive round with your pals and test each other’s mettle with the course’s challenging layout. If you’re still learning the game, you can sign up for playing lessons on the green, or you can work on your own at the course’s practice areas. Once you’re done with your game, you can head to town for a sumptuous seafood meal, explore the art galleries, or do a bit of shopping. You can also go for a beach stroll before heading back to your seaside vacation rental.

Nags Head Golf Links: Scottish-style North Carolina golf

If you’re craving a Scottish-style golf course, you won’t have to fly all the way to the highlands just to get your game. Instead, you can book a tee time at Nags Head Golf Links. A mainstay in many lists of top Outer Banks golf courses, Nags Head stretches 6,126 yards along the Atlantic coast of Bodie Island. Here you’ll get to play on terrain dotted with sand dunes and wild sea grass, surrounded by views of rugged shoreline and the sea beyond, with the ocean breezes adding an extra element of challenge to your game. When you’ve had your fill of golf, you can take a look at Jockey’s Ridge, the largest sand dune on the East Coast, or satisfy your inner history buff with a tour of Nags Head’s historic buildings.

Family-friendly Outer Banks golf at The Pointe Golf Club

If you’re making your Outer Banks golf trip part of a family outing, you can book your tee times at The Pointe Golf Club in Powells Point. The Pointe has a driving range and practice greens where your kids can learn the basics of the game or play short rounds if they already know how. The golf course’s Bermuda fairways and bent-grass greens, on the other hand, can offer even seasoned players some challenge. Afterward, you can take your family around town for some kid-friendly fun, such as a trip to the water park. You can also rent a boat and go fishing up the North River, or explore the nature reserves just outside Powells Point. And if your vacation rental has a pool, you can spend quality time there as well.

A granite monument engraved with the names

Sea Scape: Outer Banks golf at historic Kitty Hawk

Just a short distance from Kitty Hawk’s Atlantic coast is Sea Scape Golf Links. This Outer Banks golf course spans 6,231 yards and features a traditional links layout designed by former Masters champion Art Wall. The terrain at Sea Scape has dramatic elevations where you can enjoy sweeping views of the sea framed by sand dunes and woodlands while playing your game. Sea Scape is just a stone’s throw away from where the Wright Brothers made the first controlled and sustained flight. You can visit the monument commemorating this event after your game. You can also go hiking, biking, or bird-watching at Kitty Hawk Woods and Sandy Run Park, or swim at one of Kitty Hawk’s public beaches.